Thomas Haynes Bayly

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Thomas Haynes Bayly (October 13, 1797 - April 1839) was an English poet, songwriter, dramatist, miscellaneous writer and son of a wealthy lawyer in Bath.

Originally intended for the law, he changed his mind and thought of entering the church, but he abandoned this idea also and gave himself to writing for the stage and the periodical press. He is chiefly known for his songs (of which he wrote hundreds) which, set to the music of Bishop and other eminent composers, found universal acceptance. Some were set to his own music. He also wrote several novels and a number of farces. Although making a large income from his writings, in addition to that of his wife, he fell into financially straitened circumstances. Among the best known of his songs are I'd be a Butterfly, Oh, no, we never mention Her, She wore a Wreath of Roses,The Mistletoe Bough, and Long, Long Ago. He may be regarded as, excepting Thomas Moore (1779-1852), the most popular song writer of his time.

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This article incorporates public domain text from: Cousin, John William (1910). A Short Biographical Dictionary of English Literature. London, J.M. Dent & sons; New York, E.P. Dutton.

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Thomas Haynes Bayly [1797-1839),song-writer,novelist,and dramatist, was born at Bath on 13,Oct.1797. He was the only child of Mr. Nathaniel Bayly. At a very early age Bayly displayed a talent for verse. On his 17th birthday he entered his father's office for the purpose of studying law,but soon devoted himself to writing humorous articles for the public journals. Bayly visited Dublin and had his earliest success by writing ballads. Bayly moved to London in January 1824.He gave up the whole idea of church,and wanted to win fame as a lyric poet. In 1826 he was married to the daughter of Mr. Benjamin Hayes. The profits he made were considerable ,and his income was increased by his wife's dowry. Bayly then wrote the song ' I'd be a butterfly' which quickly secured universal popularity. Breaking up his establishment at Bath, Bayly now moved to London where he applied himself to writing ballads and pieces for the stage which immediately became popular. On the trip to London,Bayly scrawled comedy into his notebook. It was declined by many many theatrical managers,but ultamitely Madame Vestris ,to whom it was submitted,discovered it merits and produced it. Lord Chesterfield who was present on the first night, declared that he never saw a better farce. The piece became a great favorite at private theatres. In 1831,Bayly realized he was in financial trouble when his marriage portion he invested coal mines that proved unproductive. He also suffered in health. A poem he wrote at this time calles' The Bridesmaid' drew a flattering letter from Sir Robert Peel,and formed the subject of a remarkable picture by one of the leading artists of the day. After his loss of fortune,Bayly wrote diligently for the stage,and in a short time he had produced no fewer than 36 dramatic pieces.An attack of the brain-fever prevented him from writing a work of fiction for which he had enterd the arrangement Mesuers Bently; but from his illness he only recovered ,only,however, to suffer from other and more painful diseases. He still hoped to recover,but dropsy succeeded to confirmed jaundice,and on 22 April 1839,he expired. He was buried at Cheltenham,his epitaph being written by his friend Theodore Hook.

Info provided by Dictionary of national biography from earliest times to 1900 vol.1 Oxford U. press 1963-64 Jerry Frazier